Greens to push for ban on cosmetics tested on animals

Bianca Hall

All cosmetics tested on animals would be banned in Australia under a proposal by the Greens.

On Monday, Senator Lee Rhiannon will introduce a private member's bill to ban all animal-tested cosmetics in Australia, including those imported from countries that test on animals.

Labor's deputy leader Tanya Plibersek will this week separately launch a national consultation on phasing out the importation, manufacture, sale and advertising of cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients tested on animals.

Ms Plibersek would not comment on the Greens' bill before it is debated in Parliament, but the Greens are confident of securing Labor's support for its legislation.

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In June, the Humane Research Australia commissioned research showing that 81 per cent of Australians supported a total ban on the sale of cosmetics tested on animals.

But Senator Rhiannon's bill would have a big effect on imports, banning the sale of all cosmetics tested on animals overseas, and made of ingredients that have been tested on animals.

It is expected the move would have a particular impact on the importation of cosmetics from mainland China, where it is still mandatory for all cosmetics to be tested on animals before being sold.

While no cosmetics companies test on animals in Australia, many import ingredients from countries where animal testing is routine.

And there is no legislation preventing Australian companies from testing on animals should they choose to do so.

"While we're told that it doesn't happen, we can't be 100 per cent that it doesn't happen," Senator Rhiannon said.

This week, Ms Plibersek will begin canvassing industry and consumer groups about Labor's pre-election vow to work towards phasing out the sale in Australia of cosmetics tested on animals overseas.

She stressed the need for a considered approach to a ban on animal-tested products, saying it should apply to the sale of newly manufactured products and product ingredients only.

"This is a complex matter, especially when we're talking about things like imports, and dealing with a ban on cosmetic ingredients too," she said.

"To make sure we get this right, we will be working through all the issues carefully. Legislation must be drafted for best effect and we need to bring the community with us. That's why comprehensive consultation with animal rights groups, industry, and scientific researchers is particularly critical."

Labor will consulting with groups including Choose Cruelty-Free, the Humane Society International, Humane Research Australia, industry figures and scientists.

Last week, the Body Shop announced it would pull its products from Chinese duty-free shops after consumer group Choice revealed that it could not guarantee that the products weren't cruelty-free.

A Choice investigator discovered Body Shop products for sale at duty-free stores at Beijing and Shanghai airports, where authorities can randomly conduct post-market tests on animals.